Green Metals Refining announces viability of new sulphuric acid plant
Boost for industrialisation and manganese production
Green Metals Refining Ltd (GMR), a midstream refining company focused on producing low-cost manganese chemicals for the green energy transition, has announced the successful completion of a scoping study for a new sulphuric acid plant near Walvis Bay.
The plant will be developed and owned by Kudu Chemicals (Pty) Ltd, a wholly owned Namibian subsidiary of GMR.
Sulphuric acid is a critical chemical used across industries as a raw material, reagent, and catalyst. It plays a central role in metals extraction, fertiliser production, petrochemicals, and notably in battery-grade manganese production at GMR’s planned Namibian refinery.
Namibia currently imports sulphuric acid, but demand is expected to surge as numerous copper, uranium, rare earth, and fertiliser projects come online. The new plant is set to support Namibia’s industrialisation drive while creating jobs and economic opportunities.
The plant will use imported elemental sulphur via the port of Walvis Bay to produce 98.5% sulphuric acid. It will be co-located with GMR’s Manganese Refinery in an industrial zone east of Walvis Bay and will also generate surplus electricity and process steam to support the refinery. The scoping study, conducted by Namibia-based Creo Engineering Solutions, defined technical parameters, prepared capital and operating cost estimates, and appraised the project economics.
Risk reduction
GMR plans a staged construction approach, keeping upfront costs low, enabling earlier production, and reducing risk. The first stage will produce 175 000 tonnes of acid annually at a projected pre-tax IRR of 20%, with a capital cost of US$59 million. Once fully operational, the plant could produce up to 720 000 tonnes per year, with later stages expected to benefit from economies of scale. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is underway, and a feasibility study is expected to be completed alongside the EIA in the first half of 2026.
Derk Hartman, GMR Founder and CEO, said: “While our initial goal was to secure sulphuric acid for our own manganese refinery, Namibia’s growing need presents a compelling opportunity to supply other local metal projects. This plant will unlock value-added exports and is crucial for the country’s industrialisation. We are grateful for NIPDB’s support, which has allowed us to advance these projects swiftly.”
The announcement underscores GMR’s commitment to supporting Namibia’s green energy transition and industrial growth through strategic investment and local production of critical chemicals.
The plant will be developed and owned by Kudu Chemicals (Pty) Ltd, a wholly owned Namibian subsidiary of GMR.
Sulphuric acid is a critical chemical used across industries as a raw material, reagent, and catalyst. It plays a central role in metals extraction, fertiliser production, petrochemicals, and notably in battery-grade manganese production at GMR’s planned Namibian refinery.
Namibia currently imports sulphuric acid, but demand is expected to surge as numerous copper, uranium, rare earth, and fertiliser projects come online. The new plant is set to support Namibia’s industrialisation drive while creating jobs and economic opportunities.
The plant will use imported elemental sulphur via the port of Walvis Bay to produce 98.5% sulphuric acid. It will be co-located with GMR’s Manganese Refinery in an industrial zone east of Walvis Bay and will also generate surplus electricity and process steam to support the refinery. The scoping study, conducted by Namibia-based Creo Engineering Solutions, defined technical parameters, prepared capital and operating cost estimates, and appraised the project economics.
Risk reduction
GMR plans a staged construction approach, keeping upfront costs low, enabling earlier production, and reducing risk. The first stage will produce 175 000 tonnes of acid annually at a projected pre-tax IRR of 20%, with a capital cost of US$59 million. Once fully operational, the plant could produce up to 720 000 tonnes per year, with later stages expected to benefit from economies of scale. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is underway, and a feasibility study is expected to be completed alongside the EIA in the first half of 2026.
Derk Hartman, GMR Founder and CEO, said: “While our initial goal was to secure sulphuric acid for our own manganese refinery, Namibia’s growing need presents a compelling opportunity to supply other local metal projects. This plant will unlock value-added exports and is crucial for the country’s industrialisation. We are grateful for NIPDB’s support, which has allowed us to advance these projects swiftly.”
The announcement underscores GMR’s commitment to supporting Namibia’s green energy transition and industrial growth through strategic investment and local production of critical chemicals.
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